IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE imposing a tax of 4.25% of the tariff rate for each local telephone access line, not to exceed 100 lines per person or per location, for emergency telephone service utilizing a single three-digit number "911."
Intro
ORDINANCE 3904, July 2, 2007
INTRODUCED BY Scott Burnett, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, §190.300 et seq., RSMo, as amended, authorized the County Legislature to establish a tax, upon a vote of the people, to finance an emergency telephone service, in an amount not to exceed two percent of the tariff rate, in those areas of the County where emergency 911 telephone service has been contracted for; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 940, the proposal was submitted to the voters of Jackson County, on August 6, 1982, for their approval of such service and tax, in accordance with §190.320, RSMo, and a majority of the votes cast on the proposal were in favor thereof; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 3771, dated May 22, 2006, a proposal was submitted to the voters of the County on August 8, 2006, for their approval of an increased maximum rate of such tax up to fifteen percent of the tariff rate, and, again, a majority of the votes case on the proposal were in favor thereof; and,
WHEREAS, AT&T Communications, under contract with the County, presently provides 911 emergency telephone services to most areas of the County, and collects a tax of 3.0% of the tariff rate for this service, pursuant to Ordinance 3802; and,
WHEREAS, United Telecommunications, under contract with the County presently provides 911 emergency telephone service to certain other unincorporated areas of Jackson County and to the cities of Oak Grove, Buckner, Lake Lotawana, Lone Jack, Levasy, and Sibley, and collects a tax of 3.0% of the tariff rate for this service, pursuant to Ordinance 3802; and,
WHEREAS, in view of increased operating costs and plans for the upgrading of the regional E-911 system presented by the Mid-America Regional Council, it is appropriate that the tax be imposed county-wide at a rate of 4.25% of the tariff rate; and,
WHEREAS, the tax rate proposed does not exceed the rate authorized by the voters at the election of August 8, 2006; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature has determined that, for the protection and preservation of public health and welfare, the operation of an emergency telephone system is beneficial to the citizens of the County; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri as follows:
A tax for emergency telephone service, in the amount of 4.25% of the tariff rate for each local telephone exchange access line not to exceed 100 lines per person per location, is renewed, in those portions of Jackson County for which 911 emergency telephone service has been contracted for; and,
Such tax shall be renewed, as specified herein, subject to adjustments in percentage provided for by §190.300 et seq., RSMo 2005.
Collection of said tax shall commence immediately and continue uninterrupted.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached Ordinance, Ordinance # 3904 introduced on July 2, 2007, was duly passed on July 23, 2007 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______6________ Nays ______1________
Abstaining ____0_______ Absent _____2_______
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for her signature.
________________________ _________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance # 3904.
_______________________ __________________________________
Date Michael D. Sanders, County Executive